Verified Document

Environment And Delinquency Research Paper

Environment and Delinquency Over the last several years, the issue of juvenile crime and its impact on the criminal justice system has been increasingly brought to the forefront. This is because there are debates about what to do with these types of offenders and the kind of approach that should be utilized with them. These differences have resulted in considerable amounts of volatility in juvenile delinquency rates. Evidence of this can be seen with the total number of cases that were handled by the juvenile courts from 2000 to 2008 (which is illustrated in the below table).

Total Number of Juvenile Related Cases in the Criminal Justice System from 2000 to 2008

Amount

million million

2002

1.678 million

2003

1.687 million

2004

1.689 million

2005

million

2006

1.647 million

2007

1.658 million

2008

1.653 million

("Delinquency Cases," 2010)

These figures are showing how the juvenile crime rate has continued to remain volatile. This is despite the fact that they are below the all-time high in the total number of cases from 1995 (which is 1.8 million). As a result, there have been a variety of theories and programs introduced that are designed to help curb these amounts. To determine their effectiveness requires focusing on the how their environment will influence the delinquency rates and the criminal justice system. Together, these elements will highlight the way this is impacting these numbers. ("Delinquency Cases," 2010)

The Impact of the a Juvenile's Environment in Comparison with Delinquency Rates

Since the end of World War II there has been a dramatic change in the structure of the American family. This is because the traditional two parent household has quickly disappeared from: divorce, single parent families and increasing teen pregnancy rates. These transformations have led to fewer positive influences in the life of the children (who are living in non-traditional households). Over the course of time, this has meant that more juveniles will become involved in criminal activity. (Hammen, 1996)

Evidence of this can be seen with study that was conducted...

She found that the family environment will have an impact on if someone is influenced by criminal elements with her saying, "Today, the rising divorce rate, increase in teen pregnancy, and prevalence of single-parent households has caused the definition of family to take on several new meanings. The change raises several questions about who is tending to the needs of America's children. Findings have supported the hypothesis that families lacking structure, communication, support and cohesiveness foster delinquency. This research compared 90 juvenile delinquency cases to census data relating to household types. It was found that youth raised in households with both natural parents are less likely to become involved in delinquent behaviors compared to 3 other household types also examined. In today's society, strong family support must replace apathetic attitudes toward delinquency with a positive structure to teach youth how to positively contribute to society." This is illustrating how the home environment will have an effect on if someone will become involved in criminal activities. (Hammen, 1996)
Moreover, a study that was conducted by the UN found that there are other environmental factors which will impact the views of young adults. The most notable include: sadistic conditions at home, drug / alcohol abuse and overcrowding. According to the report, these and other elements will shape how the person sees the world around them with it saying, "Young people who are at risk of becoming delinquent often live in difficult circumstances. These include: parental alcoholism, poverty, breakdown of the family, overcrowding, abusive conditions in the home, the growing HIV / AIDS cases or the death of the parents. Those who are orphans or do not have positive influences in their lives are without the means of subsistence, housing and other basic necessities are at greatest risk of falling into juvenile delinquency." These insights are showing how the environment of an adolescent will have an impact upon the way they react to the world around. This is point that they will participate in criminal activities. When this happens, they will seek out groups and individuals that can address these issues (which makes them susceptible to bad influences). In many cases, these elements and gangs will severe as the…

Sources used in this document:
References

Delinquency Cases. (2010). U.S. Census. Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0340.pdf

Juvenile Delinquency. (2011). UN. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/documents/ch07.pdf

Hammen, W. (1996). Influences of Family Environments. Missouri Western. Retrieved from: http://www.missouriwestern.edu/psychology/research/psy302/spring96/WendyHammen.html

Lounsbury, J. (2009). Causes of Juvenile Delinquency. Yahoo. Retrieved from: http://voices.yahoo.com/causes-juvenile-delinquency-adult-criminal-3171892.html
Ramirez, L. (2008). Juvenile Delinquency. ABA. Retrieved from: http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_solo_magazine_home/gp_solo_magazine_index/juveniledelinquency.html
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Environment the Humanity Has Experienced an Unprecedented
Words: 1120 Length: 4 Document Type: Case Study

Environment The humanity has experienced an unprecedented level of scientific and technological progress in the last two hundred years. The progress, however, has been achieved with a heavy price. Human actions have significantly damaged the natural environment, leading to numerous problems such as pollution, climate change, diseases, and much more. Because of these developments, the subject of environmental management has become a critical one. Environmental managers therefore face certain challenges related

Environment Background Guinea the Environment
Words: 401 Length: 1 Document Type: Research Proposal

Additionally, the potential profits involved with the exploitation of the nation's resources, make for tempting business to acquire through corrupt activities and exploitation. This enormous poverty gap is "a testament to the government's corruption, mismanagement and callousness toward its own people," (Mouawad 2009). Yet, the environment can be used as an element to quell the conflict as well by providing a source to create unity within the region. The environment can

Environment and Islamic Architecture As
Words: 5408 Length: 15 Document Type: Research Paper

An important influence on Renaissance architecture was the Dome of the Rock, famous for its spatial harmony, balance and overall perfection. . . . The Dome of the Rock is basically a Byzantine building [with] classical columns, topped by arches in alternating black and white marble, the dome, and the gold and semi-precious mosaics that decorate the walls all speak of Byzantine heritage" (p. 119). Some scholars, though, have argued

Environments the Real World Companies That Are
Words: 1389 Length: 5 Document Type: Essay

Environments The real world companies that are being studied are Starbucks, Apple and FedEx. These three companies face different external environmental challenges and have focused on shifting their internal environments in order to better compete in their external environments. The PEST analysis will be used as the analytical framework (QuickMBA, 2012). Starbucks operates in the quick service restaurant industry, and is one of the top brands in that business (QSR Magazine, 2011).

Environment From a Christian View
Words: 1243 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Environment from a Christian Perspective Using Toulmin's Argument Model, this paper will explore the way in which Christians should act in response to the environmental challenges facing the planet. There are many reasons that all citizens should be paying attention to the problems that the earth is facing, due to climate change and pollution. And Christians, while they have spiritual values that differ from Muslims, Buddhists and other faiths, are citizens

Environment Confronting International Environmental Issues:
Words: 344 Length: 1 Document Type: Term Paper

The Costa Rican courts ruled in favor of AIDA's actions on the grounds that the aquaculture project would drastically harm the marine environment and undermine the nation's constitutional guarantees of a healthy environment ("Toward). Some of the root problems that confront over fishing and environmental damage to marine ecosystems include lack of regulatory mechanisms and lack of general knowledge about the environmental impacts of commercial fisheries. AIDA has demonstrated some

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now